WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2011 - WWE Universe Creation Guide

~A.Guide.To.WWE.Universe~

After seeing the number of issues people have had with crafting WWE
Universe, I have decided to post a guide, based on my knowledge of the
game and specifically the Game Mode, in order to help those having
difficulty. My guide will cover a range of issues, such as the Ranking
system, Title matches, and using all of the WWE Universe to it's full
potential. If there are any questions or issues, please post them in this thread and I will assist as much as possible. Please enjoy!

I'm
not going to suggest who you put on each brand, as that it is up to
each user, but I will tell you how it is used. Upon entering Superstar
Management, you will notice the brand logo next to a superstar's name,
as you can see above with Christian. By pressing A (Xbox 360) or X
(PS3), you will be able to change the brand a superstar is on. NOTE:
This will alter the WWE Universe's default cards, but if you want to
have a SmackDown! superstar make an appearence on RAW, this is still
possible. If you choose RAW or SmackDown!, WWE Universe will begin to
book superstars on that specific brand, but if you choose any of the
other possible brands (Legends, WCW, WWE, and "Locked" (ECW)), they will no longer
be booked by the WWE Universe at all. However, if you wish for a member
of any of them brands to make an appearence, you can do so by choosing
them after pressing either "Select Match" or "Custom Match".
The Paint Tool logo is avaliable if you have a custom brand logo you
would like to use for a superstar. Once again, the WWE Universe will no
longer recognize the superstar and they will no longer be booked by
default, so if you choose to do this, you will have to manually book
this superstar in matches EVERY time.

Title Settings

From here, you willbe
able to choose who is the WWE Champion, World Heavyweight Champion,
Unified Tag Team Champions, Intercontinental Champion, U.S Champion,
Women's Champion and Diva's Champion, all before any match has started.
By doing this, WWE Universe will automatically update the Rankings for
each championship, and you will be able to start how YOU want. The Title
Settings can be changed at any time, but be warned, it will affect all
Rankings every time, so if you are working on a specific superstar
building his/her way up to the #1 contendership, and suddenly change who
is champion, the rest of the rankings may affect your other plans.
Also, you cannot change which brand the championship is on, even if you
change the brand the champion is on.

Allies & Rivals

Also in Superstar Management is the Rivalry system.In order to have the best WWE Universe experience, my suggestion would be to only have a maximum of three allies and three rivals.If
you have less than this, not many cut-scenes will occur, as the
Universe will have nothing work with. On the other hand, if you have too
many, then you lose stability in feuds. You may want Sheamus to feud
with Orton, but if you have Triple H, John Cena, Evan Bourne and Santino
Marella also as Sheamus' rivals, many of his matches with Orton will
end up being disrupted by one of them.

Also, the intensity of
each rival and ally is important. Always update each superstar's Rivals
and Allies depending on how you want them to feud. For example, if
Mysterio is in a feud with Jack Swagger for months and months, but you
suddenly want Swagger to start getting involved in Edge's business, make
sure you change this in Superstar Management. Otherwise, Mysterio will
keep bothering Swagger, when you really want the focus to be on your new
Edge feud.There
is a meter under each superstar in the Allies & Rivals section
which indicates how much friendship or hatred there is between the
superstars. The furthest to the right is High and it scales down to Low.
If you use only three allies and rivals per superstar, you are able to
have one for High, one for middle, and one for Low, which will help the
WWE Universe when booking matches and when choosing who will interfere
in the majority of the superstar's matches.

Furthermore,
the WWE Universe has the capability to change who a superstar is rivals
and allies with. If two superstars consistently team up or face each
other, the WWE Universe will begin to notify you of their relationship
in the "News" section. With that in mind, frequently check the Allies
& Rivals section to see if it has changed, because if certain
changes have occured that you did not plan to happen, you will lose
control of your WWE Universe and begin to become confused as to why Evan
Bourne is saving Kofi Kingston from being attacked by Kane.

II.Team Management

Navigation

In
regards to Team Management as a feature, it is difficult to navigate
around, as it requires you to enter Create-An-Entrance and
Create-A-Moveset before the Tag Team creation is truly complete, but
once you have five substantial Tag Teams, you will most likely not need
this feature for much more, other than editing any unwanted teams
created by Universe.Making A Tag Division

Team
Management is ultimately to help improve the stale Tag Division
provided by the game, as a result of a non-existent Tag Division in the
WWE. My first suggestion, in regards to Tag Teams, is to make the
Unified Tag Titles a cross-brand championship. Unless you want teams
assembled by mid-carders, it is a lot easier to have four or five
respectable Tag Teams. Personally, I would keep The Hart Dynasty,
Straight Edge Society and M.V.P and Mark Henry, and then create the Tag
Team of Cody Rhodes and Drew McIntyre. From there, you only need one
extra Tag Team (preferably a Face SmackDown! team), and you will have a
competitive Tag Team Division.

"Tag Partners" & Stables

For
Stables, utilize the Universe's label of "Tag Partner". Some stables,
such as Evolution, focused on Ric Flair and Batista as the "Tag
Partners", with Triple H as the figurehead and Orton as the rising star.
If you have a stable, but don't want Universe to randomly pair up
members of your stable, then choose the most suited Tag Partners as the
first two members of your stable. Of course, if you want Tag Partners to
rotate, you can either manually change who are the primary Tag Partners
in Team Management, or change the partners each time Universe books the
stable in a Tag Match.WWE Universe Making Tag Teams

WWE
Universe has a tendency to make Tag Teams without you being aware. For
instance, Dolph Ziggler teamed up with Rhodes and McIntyre in a 6-man
Tag match, and when I next check Team Management, he has been added to
their stable! Much like Superstar Management, if you occasionally check
this section of WWE Universe, you will have ultimate control of what
happens, with the additional guide of Universe's cut-scenes.

III. Rankings

How It Works

The Ranking system is perhaps the most complex part of WWE Universe, as
it will consistently change every show, every week, and you will have
to monitor this all the time if you want to mould your own WWE Universe.
Every championship has a Top 10 Ranking, with the exception of the Tag
Team, Women's and Diva's titles, due to their weak roster. A "!" will
appear to the left of the "Rankings" section of the WWE Universe Menu if
there is an alteration in the Rankings. Superstars ascend and descend
the rankings depending on their wins and losses, and depending on the
opponents they defeat. For example, if John Cena is ranked 10th
contender for the WWE Title, but then beats the champion, #1 contender
and #2 contender in a Gauntlet match, he would most likely ascend to
3rd, perhaps higher. Comparatively, if Christian is #1 Contender for the
Intercontinental Championship, then loses to Primo who isn't on the
rankings, he would lose his place, unless he won a #1 Contender's Match.

The #1 Contender can change every week unless there is a #1 Contender's
Match, in which case, the #1 Contender will remain the same until he
has had a shot at the title, or competed in another #1 Contender's
Match. If a superstar is not on the rankings but begins to have an
undefeated streak, the WWE Universe will recognize this and the
superstar will be on the rankings. The opponents the specific superstar
has beaten will determine if he challenges the WWE Title or the U.S
Title (if a RAW superstar), or the World Heavyweight Championship or
Intercontinental Title (if on SmackDown!).

How To Push Superstars

As previously mentioned, the easiest way to push superstars is to have
them defeat anyone in the rankings higher than them. If you want your #2
Contender to become your #1 Contender (outside of a #1 Contender's
match), make sure the #2 Contender keeps picking up wins over the #1
Contender. If you want to push a superstar for a championship and he
isn't on the rankings, do not fear. Keep winning with the specific
superstar against the #1 Contender or the champion for the title you
want the superstar to win and soon the WWE Universe will add him to the
rankings.

How To Bury Superstars

Alternatively, there may be superstars on the rankings who you do not
want. For example, I have Primo as the #2 contender for the U.S Title,
due to the fact Primo has been winning a lot on Superstars. To change
this, you have to make sure the superstar loses...a lot. So long as the
superstar you want to bury isn't the #1 Contender as a result of winning
a #1 Contender's Match, the Universe will begin to make the superstar
drop down the rankings. Also, make sure the superstar being buried is
losing without having much control. If the match is close-fought, the
WWE Universe will occasionally not change the rankings of the superstar.

Another method is to simply change the matches WWE Universe book and
make sure a superstar you do not want as a contender is not being
booked. By doing this, all other superstars in the rankings will
naturally surpass him and eventually, he will disappear from the
rankings altogether. If the superstar is someone such as Primo, this
isn't so much of an issue, but if you are trying to bury John Cena, it
may take a while. You can't remove the superstar from RAW or SmackDown!
and then re-add them, as they will automatically return to their
previous ranking position. However, by simply not booking a superstar
and manually changing matches involving him, you ultimately remove him
from WWE Universe temporarily.

IV.Schedule

Using RAW and SmackDown!

Both
branded shows only have four matches per card, so it is important to
use all of the matches as best as possible. If you have rivalries
developing, make sure you provide a match devoted to this. However, you
will most likely want numerous feuds on-going at once, and the important
trick is to manage your card well. Instead of aiming for continious
one-on-one matches in order to progress specific rivalries, try and mix
things up a bit, like the WWE does. Do you want a Miz and Morrison feud,
as well as Goldust and Ted DiBiase? Then make a Miz & DiBiase Vs.
Morrison & Goldust Tag Team match. By doing this, both superstars
will continue their feud, and also, you have saved yourself another
match on the card to develop a different story. Keep in mind that from
time-to-time, WWE Universe will make a #1 Contender's Match, leaving you
with only three matches to play with. However, if you are happy with
the current #1 Contender and do not want the match, feel free to change
it.

Using Superstars

This
is perhaps the most cruical part of WWE Universe. Although in the WWE,
Superstars is seen as the opportunity to use low-card talent such as
Chavo Guerrero, Vance Archer and Yoshi Tatsu, WWE Universe does not have
to be the same. In fact, I would recommend using Superstars as the
perfect place to further develop your stories. You are limited to three
matches a card, so use each one wisely. If you are trying to get a
specific superstar up the rankings quickly, putting him in a match with a
high-calibur superstar in the rankings on Superstars will increase the
chances of him becoming #1 Contender a lot quicker, as you can book him
in two matches per week. So long as the superstar keeps winning, he
should be in a #1 Contender's Match on the last RAW or SmackDown! show
before a PPV, as he would've picked up six major wins along the way.
Ultimately, Superstars does not have to be for jobbers and low-carders,
it must be treated as a catalyst for feuds and Rankings.

Using Pay-Per-Views

Due
to THQ's restrictions on Title Matches and Stipulation matches, PPVs
are very limited in how they can be used effectively. Personally, my
only suggestion would be to consider which division you have not applied
much focus to that month, and replace the championship match with a
major feud you have been building up. If you've spent all of your RAW
shows focusing on a Daniel Bryan/Miz feud, but at Backlash, it's The
Hart Dynasty Vs. Rhodes & McIntyre, which you haven't bothered with,
then re-book the match as a "Custom Match".

V. Matches

Select Match

"Select
Match" allows the user to change the competitors in a default-booked
match, but not the Match Type (unless it is a Singles Match) or number
of competitiors. Despite it's limitations, "Select Match" is effective
and accessible once the WWE Universe has recognized your feuds and is
pre-booking the matches you want it to.

Custom Match

"Custom
Match" has far more creativity and is pretty much Exhibition Mode with
Universe Mode on. Custom Match will replace the match already on the
card, and gives you the opportunity to change the competitiors, Match
Type, and number of superstars involved in the match. It will become
very useful at the beginning of WWE Universe, as you will need it in
order to start your desired feuds, as well as forcing your Created
Superstars onto the match card by default.

Simulation

Simulating
matches in WWE Universe is a juggling act -- simulate too many matches
and you lose control of the WWE Universe, but if you choose to play
every match, you may find SmackDown! Vs. RAW 2011 very boring, very
fast. My tip would be to simulate the matches in which the result is
irrelevant to the feud and the story you are developing. If you want to
keep track of all of your feuds and champions, NEVER simulate an entire
show. You will end up spending the next two shows re-building the feud,
and you will not be able to progress as quickly as you want.

Pre-Match Cut-Scenes

With
over 100 cut-scenes in WWE Universe, THQ divided them into specific
types. Pre-Match cut-scenes will occur during or after the entrances. An
example of a pre-match cut-scene can be seen above, in which Mysterio
spectates his rival's match from the crowd. Interestingly, if you go to
the top-right corner during the match, you will see Mysterio watching,
which adds continuity and realism to the cut-scene feature. Other
examples of cut-scenes happening before the match include attacks during
entrances, no-showing an entrance and then attacking from behind,
superstars replacing another superstar, mystery tag partners and a
change of Match Type.

Mid-Match Cut-Scenes

Mid-match
cut-scenes tend to come in the form of an interference, specifically
when a superstar is being beaten down. For example, if CM Punk looks
close to finished, Luke Gallows will run down to the ring and help Punk.
Mid-match cut-scenes have the ability to shift a match, or even WWE
Universe as a whole. Superstars can interfere on behalf of an Ally, but
suddenly turn on them which develops a new feud. THQ
also added an Undertaker-specific cut-scene, based on who his strongest
rival is, in which the lights go out, and when they re-appear, both
in-ring competitors are knocked out.
Mid-match cut-scenes are a lot less frequent than pre-match or
post-match cut-scenes, due to the fact their consequences have a lot
more impact on WWE Universe.

Post-Match Cut-Scenes

Post-Match
cut-scenes are dependable on the Allies & Rivals system, as they
tend to relate to on-going feuds. The above example shows Evan Bourne
celebrating a victory, only to be attacked by Zack Ryder, his rival,
after the match has finished. Other potential post-match cut-scenes
include refused handshakes between two superstars, Allies saving each
other from a potential attack from the opponent, and even someone
cashing in their Money In The Bank contract.VI. News

How It Works

The
News section works solely on the championships and Allies & Rivals
system. The News section is useful to check major updates on who have
become Rivals or Allies, instead of checking Superstar Management. A "!"
will appear to the left of "News" in the WWE Universe Menu when there
is a notification. If the News section notifies you of an unwanted feud
developing, simply
enter Superstar Management and remove the unwanted rival from the
superstar's Rival list. The News section is simply a more accessible and
convenient way of keeping track of the current champions and the
development of your rivalries and Tag Teams, but beyond that, it has
little impact in WWE Universe.

VII. Created Superstars

How To Get On The Card By Default

I realize that the majority of users have mainly complained at the
difficulty of making sure their Created Superstars are being booked in
WWE Universe, so I have dedicated a lot of my guide to this specific
section. Firstly, my main tip is to use "Custom Match" for the first few
weeks of WWE Universe, as it is the only way to ensure your CAW will be
booked. Despite having him on a specific brand, due to the fact he will
not be in any of the Rankings, the CPU will see no reason to book him.
After manually putting him in matches with high-calibur superstars, and
making sure he wins, he will begin to get noticed by the CPU and will
most likely be booked on Superstars without you needing to do anything.
Continue his winning streak, making sure he is beating superstars such
as the United States/Intercontinental Champion or their #1 Contenders,
and you will notice he will appear in the Rankings. Continue this until
he is in the Top 5, or until you open a card and he is automatically in a
match.

How To Become #1 Contender & Champion

There are two simple ways to become the #1 Contender for any
championship in WWE Universe. Firstly, you need to continue the method
aforementioned. So long as you are beating the top guys in the Rankings,
your status will improve. You don't necessarily have to win in
one-on-one matches against them, so long as you win a match against them
each week. If you win on RAW/SmackDown! and Superstars, you will have
managed six major wins on the week before the PPV, whereby WWE Universe
will generally make a #1 Contender's Match. Based on the fact you
would've been victorious against the current #1 Contender and champion
on numerous occasions, you will be in this match. Once you win, you will
be rewarded with the achievement/trophy "One Step Closer To The Gold".

The second method is far less rewarding, but potentially quicker. In
Superstar Management, go to your Created Superstar and choose Title
Settings. Assign the championship you want your CAW to become #1
Contender for to the Created Superstar, and then sim to the next PPV.
Lose the title at the PPV, and you will notice you are either ranked #1
Contender in the Rankings, or within the Top 5. From here, use the above
method, and you will quickly become #1 Contender.

How To Win Money In The Bank

Being in Money In The Bank in WWE Universe is one of the most difficult
challenges, as there is not a contendership match, nor a specific way
of entering in the match. The easiest, and most successful, way to
ensure you will be booked for the MITB match at WrestleMania is to build
a winning streak beginning in December all the way up to March, when
WrestleMania is held. So long as you have won all of your matches, if
not the majority up to this point, without winning a title or being #1
Contender, you will be booked into the Money In The Bank Match by the
CPU.

VIII.Turning Off Universe Mode

Although WWE Universe Mode is a revolutionary Game Mode, not all users
are guaranteed to enjoy it. Therefore, THQ provided the option of
removing it from your SmackDown! Vs. RAW 2011. In order to turn off WWE
Universe, simply move the right-analog stick to the right when in the
Main Menu, and the banner at the bottom of the screen will no longer
appear. By doing this, you ultimately have Exhibition Mode which has
been in all SmackDown! games from previous years. Any matches you play
in Exhibition Mode will not effect Rankings, the Allies & Rivals
System and will not include cut-scenes.

If you decide to return
to WWE Universe, simply move the right-analog stick to the left in the
Main Menu. The WWE Universe will continue from it's last match prior to
being switched off, and will not take into account any of your
Exhibition matches.